New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals Prediction, Preview and Odds - 04/28/2024

by Rod Pearson

Saturday, Apr 27, 2024
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Sunday, April 28, 2024
Venue:  Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Where to Watch:  TBS, MAX


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Moneyline:  Rangers -192, Capitals +160; Over/Under:  5.5 goals
Bet365:  Moneyline:  Rangers -190, Capitals +155; Over/Under:  5.5 goals
BetMGM:  Moneyline:  Rangers -190, Capitals +155; Over/Under:  5.5 goals

Season Record

New York Rangers:  55-23-4 (1st place, Metropolitan Division)
Washington Capitals:  40-31-11 (4th place, Metropolitan Division)

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Recent Form
New York Rangers:  8-2-0 last 10
Washington Capitals:  4-5-1 last 10



New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals Preview and Analysis


The Rangers are entering this game with 114 points, a 55-23-4 record overall, and they were 25-12-4 in their road games this regular season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Washington Capitals in their last game, winning that one on the road 3-1. Vincent Trocheck, Barclay Goodrow, and Chris Kreider each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Mika Zibanejad led the team in assists with 2 while Alexis Lafrenière led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Igor Shesterkin was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 1 goal on 29 shots with 28 saves and a .966 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 282 goals this season averaging 3.4 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 229 goals against them allowing 2.8 goals per game.


The Capitals are entering this game with 91 points, a 40-31-11 record overall, and they were 22-12-7 in their home games this regular season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the New York Rangers in their last game, losing that one at home 3-1. John Carlson scored 1 goal for them in that game. Martin Fehérváry and T. J. Oshie each led the team in assists with 1 while Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome each led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Charlie Lindgren was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 22 shots with 19 saves and a .864 save percentage. Their offense has scored 220 goals this season averaging 2.7 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 257 goals against them allowing 3.1 goals per game.


Rangers vs Capitals Prediction

The current betting odds have the Rangers listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. This is game 4 of a 7 game series between the 1st seeded Rangers from the Metropolitan Division and the 2nd seeded Wild Card, the Capitals, for Round 1 of the NHL Eastern Conference playoffs. The Rangers have a 3-0 series lead after winning game 3 of this series on the road. The Rangers have looked really good in this series with 2 of their 3 wins coming by multiple goals and even the game they won by 1 goal wasn't really that close since the Capitals needed to come back. The Capitals are now in a big hole that they won't be able to get out of with the way they have played this season. The Capitals haven't scored a lot of goals in their games this season as they typically lean more on their defense, but their defense hasn't been great this season either and especially in this series since they have had no answer for the Rangers offense. The Capitals needed to win that game 3 to get some momentum back on their side but now that they are on the verge of elimination here, their spirits are going to be low. The Capitals only mustered up 1 goal in their 1 home game of this series and they do have to deal with a pretty good Rangers defense. The Rangers are showing why they won the Presidents' Trophy this season and they are in line for the series sweep here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Rangers to win this game and on the puckline.

Rangers Capitals Prediction:  Our NHL Pick for Sunday, April 28, 2024 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Rangers 4 Capitals 2.
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NHL Betting Trends


New York Rangers: 39-22 (+13.8 units) on the moneyline off a win against a division rival. 47-23 (+15.2 units) on the moneyline after playing a game where 4 or fewer total goals were scored. 31-16 UNDER in a road game where the total is 5.5. 14-7 UNDER when attempting to close out a playoff series.

Washington Capitals: 14-21 (-9 units) on the moneyline off a loss against a division rival. 20-26 (-11 units) on the moneyline after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game. 7-3 UNDER in a home game where the total is 5.5. 17-9 UNDER after a division game.

Key Injuries


New York Rangers:  B. Wheeler (RW) out for season - Lower Body. F. Chytil (C) out for season - Upper Body.

Washington Capitals:  T. van Riemsdyk (D) Ques Sun - Upper Body. V. Iorio (D) Ques Sun - Upper Body. R. Sandin (D) Early May - Upper Body. N. Jensen (D) Early May - Upper Body. E. Bear (D) Out indefinitely - Personal. N. Backstrom (C) out for season - Hip.


Notable Quotes


“I actually thought there could have been a few more. We’ve been fortunate to cash in on that.” - Peter Laviolette after his team’s win against the Capitals in game 3 of this series on Friday.


“Throughout the series so far, they’ve come up with the big moments, whether that’s answering, whether that’s coming up with the next one, stuff like that. It’s disappointing.” - John Carlson after their loss against the Rangers in game 3 of this series on Friday.


Starting Lineups


New York Rangers
LW Panarin, Artemi
C Trocheck, Vincent
RW Lafrenière, Alexis
LD Lindgren, Ryan
RD Fox, Adam
G Shesterkin, Igor

Washington Capitals
LW Ovechkin, Alex
C McMichael, Connor
RW Oshie, T.J.
LD Fehérváry, Martin
RD Carlson, John
G Lindgren, Charlie

Statistical Leaders


New York Rangers
Points: A. Panarin (120)
Goals: A. Panarin (49)
Assists: A. Panarin (71)
GAA: I. Shesterkin (2.58)

Washington Capitals
Points: D. Strome (67)
Goals: A. Ovechkin (31)
Assists: J. Carlson (42)
GAA: C. Lindgren (2.67)

Coaches:
New York Rangers: Peter Laviolette (1st season)
Washington Capitals: Spencer Carbery (1st season)


Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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